Spring Break on your own boat, with the kids at the helm.
Saturday 3 to Saturday 10 April 2027. Your family gets its own catamaran and its own Sailing Virgins instructor-captain. Five or six families sail the islands off La Paz together, and the days are yours.
From $11,750 a family · $23,500 for your own boat
The idea
Your own boat, with friends in the next bay.
Each family has its own catamaran and its own instructor-captain for the week. You decide how much you sail and how much time goes on swimming, snorkeling and doing nothing at all.
Your instructor teaches the kids to steer, drop the anchor and handle the lines, and by Friday they’re crewing the boat.
Five or six families sail the same waters as a loose flotilla. Some evenings there’s a bonfire on the beach or a dinner with the others. Join in when you like.
Dates
3 to 10 April 2027
Saturday to Saturday, over Spring Break.
Your boat
A catamaran of your own
Four cabins, about 40 to 47 feet, with a Sailing Virgins instructor-captain.
The kids
They sail it
Helm, anchoring and lines. Older kids can work toward ASA certification if they want to.
The fleet
Five or six families
A loose flotilla. Your days are your own, and evenings together are optional.
An example week
Seven days in the islands off La Paz.
Our route manager plans each day around the wind, and when a norte blows we change the order of the days. No sail is longer than about three hours, so there’s plenty of time in the water.
Saturday
Board at Costa Baja Marina and sail out to Balandra.
Sunday
Bahía San Gabriel. The kids take the helm, then everyone goes snorkeling.
Monday
Caleta Partida, and a beach bonfire with the other families.
Tuesday
Swim with the sea lions at Los Islotes, then anchor at Ensenada Grande.
Wednesday
Kids’ regatta day.
Thursday
Whale sharks in La Paz Bay if they’re still around, then a free afternoon.
Friday
Back to the marina for one dinner with the whole group.
Who looks after you
Your instructor on board, and two of our team on the water.
Your instructor-captain
Lives aboard with you, runs the boat and teaches the whole family to sail it. You watch the kids, your instructor runs the boat.
The route manager
Arrives in La Paz a week early with their own boat, sails the route ahead of you and sets each day around the wind.
The event manager
Also there a week early. Runs the transfers and the evenings, and sorts out anything your family needs.
What it costs
From $11,750 a family.
Share a boat
$11,750
per family
Happy to share? Two families go halves on one four-cabin catamaran and its instructor. Each family gets two cabins, for two adults and two kids.
Your own boat
$23,500
for the week
The whole catamaran and its instructor-captain for your family, up to 5 people.
A 25% deposit holds your boat ($5,875 for your own boat). The balance is due 60 days before you sail. Flights aren’t included, and everyone needs travel insurance with medical evacuation cover.
Getting there
A short flight from the West Coast.
- From San Francisco
- SFO to Los Cabos is about 3 hours 15 minutes, then a private transfer up to La Paz.
- From Los Angeles
- LAX to La Paz is about 2 hours 30 minutes, nonstop.
- Jet lag
- Hardly any. La Paz keeps almost the same time as California.
Rather not go to Mexico? Families can sail the British Virgin Islands instead, and other school breaks are possible on request. More about sailing with kids.
Questions
What parents ask us first.
Do we need any sailing experience?
No. Your instructor-captain runs the boat and teaches everyone as you go, starting from zero.
What ages is it for?
We’ve planned this week for kids of about 8 to 17, who are old enough to help sail the boat. There’s no minimum age on a private boat, so younger brothers and sisters can come too.
What about sailing certification?
Older kids can work toward ASA certification if they want to, and teens sit the same exam as adults. It’s their choice. Nobody has to sit an exam to enjoy the week.
What if the wind changes the plan?
The route manager sails the route ahead of you and sets each day around the wind. A norte can change the order of the week, so treat the days above as an example.
Can two families share a boat?
Yes. Two families can go halves on one four-cabin catamaran and its instructor, at $11,750 each. Each family gets two cabins, so two adults and two kids. A family of five can share one of our larger catamarans; ask us for the price. Pick “Happy to share” on the form and we’ll talk it through.
What about life jackets?
Kids’ life jackets vary by boat, so bring your own or we’ll find them for you as an extra. All our family boats are catamarans with a covered cockpit for shade.
Do we need travel insurance?
Yes. Everyone on board needs travel insurance that includes medical evacuation cover.
Can we come another week, or sail somewhere else?
Yes. Other school breaks are possible on request, and families who’d rather not go to Mexico can sail the British Virgin Islands. Choose “Another school break” on the form.
3 to 10 April 2027 · La Paz
Ask for a boat
There are five or six boats in the flotilla, so ask early. Tell us who’s coming and we’ll reply by email, usually within a day.
Rather talk? Call us on +1 904 490 9888.